Historical forest baselines reveal potential for continued carbon sequestration

Jeanine M. Rhemtulla; David J. Mladenoff; Murray K. Clayton

doi:10.1073/pnas.0810076106

Treesearch

Historical forest baselines reveal potential for continued carbon sequestration

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Jeanine M. Rhemtulla, David J. Mladenoff, Murray K. Clayton

Year:

2009

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0810076106

Source:

In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 1-6.

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Download (PDF 954 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/19911.pdf

Abstract

One-third of net CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere since 1850 are the result of land-use change, primarily from the clearing of forests for timber and agriculture, but quantifying these changes is complicated by the lack of historical data on both former ecosystem conditions and the extent and spatial configuration of subsequent land use. Using fine-resolution historical survey records, we reconstruct pre-EuroAmerican settlement (1850s) forest carbon in the state of Wisconsin, examine changes in carbon after logging and agricultural conversion, and assess the potential for future sequestration through forest recovery.

Keywords

forest-agriculture trade-offs, old-growth forest, Eastern North America, land-use history, carbon sink

Citation

Rhemtulla, Jeanine M.; Mladenoff, David J.; Clayton, Murray K. 2009. Historical forest baselines reveal potential for continued carbon sequestration. In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 1-6.